Rio Jean Photography - Prosser, WA {Milbrandt Vineyards}

An impromptu visit to Milbrandt Vineyards (http://www.milbrandtvineyards.com/index.cfm?method=homepage.showpage).

This tasting room reminds me of tasting rooms in California, I think it's the overall look of the place, the curved arches and the tall bell tower. It definitely screams, "come visit during the warmer months!"  Not that you can't go during the colder months, but it has a cute little sitting area and I heard that during the summer months, there are bands that play at the other wineries and it's like a big block wine party.  Doesn't that sound nice, to sit in the summer air, with your glass of wine, listening to the sound of music in the distance?  I don't know about you, but I am definitely going to bring my husband down for a date night!  

Milbrandt's tasting room has been open for 7 years and it seems like a lot of the staff have been with Milbrandt since it's opening. Which is pretty cool, as I see it as an indication that Milbrandt Winery is a good company to work for.  Milbrandt is family owned and like a lot of other wineries in the area, the family started out as farmers.  The Milbrandts actually started growing wine grapes and sold them to other places that needed grapes.  It wasn't until 1997 that the Milbrandts decided to enter into the wine making industry.  The first bottling took place in 2005 and the tasting room was opened in 2008.

Milbrandt produces about 60,000 cases a year and is in 40 states. There are three labels(Milbrandt has some gorgeous labels and I love their branding!) that Milbrandt has, the Traditions line which features the blowing tree, the Estate line which is sourced primarily from Milbrandt estate vineyards and is produced in limited quantities. The Vineyard Series wines and Estate wines are 100% Milbrandt estate grown fruit and these wines are produced in limited quantities and are exclusively available online or at Milbrandt Vineyards Tasting Room in Prosser, WA.

I didn't see this in the tasting room but I saw the Sentinel series on the website and it is Milbrandt's exclusive and very limited wine sourced from one of their best vineyard sites, Northridge Vineyard. The vines are planted in the ancient Caliche soils above the glacial flood line and produce some of the nicest grapes on the Wahluke Slope.

Unfortunately this winery does not have a winery dog as they have a commercial kitchen in the tasting room, so they aren't able to have animals there.  But it's a win for you because you are able to have some food while you enjoy your wine!  I heard through the tasting room manager that Butch Milbrandt is a huge foodie, so he will cook some delicious meals in the kitchen.  AND I also heard wine club members are invited out to Butch's house in Mattawa where he will also cook for the members!  Doesn't that single perk make you want to join?  

Milbrandt has 2500 acres of estate grapes, the vineyards are located in one of the new AVA's, Ancient Lakes, at the Evergreen Vineyard and the Wahluke Slope. The Ancient Lakes sounds like a sought after place for growing as I *think* there are 5 wineries who own a vineyard there.

Anyways, if you are ever in Prosser, stop in and check out Milbrandt.  All of Milbrandt's epic wines can only be purchased at the winery or online. I have to say I purchased a bottle at the store and it was not a good representation of Milbrandt wines.

Sorry for the lack of pictures, I was having a really good time in this tasting room and was busy getting my chat box going . . . . so that means you really have to stop by and see this place for yourself!

Cheers!
Melanie

Rio Jean Photography - Prosser, WA {Airfield Estates}

Airfield Estates (http://www.airfieldwines.com/) has a very interesting history.  I will tell you briefly about it but definitely check out the website as it will have way more information.  The current owners are a brother and sister team, Marcus and Lori, and their family has been in the Yakima area as farmers for years!  In 1968 the family started to grow wine grapes and ever since then, the family has been into wine. 

Airfield started producing around 7,000 cases of wine and now they are producing 35,000 cases. Airfield has 28 different varietals (with a few clones) that span over 900 acres.  The vineyards are located in Rattlesnake Mountain and the production facility is located in Sunnyside. 

Airfield is known for their Chardonnay, Sauvingnon Blanc, Cabernet, Syrah, and Merlot. Airfield has their wines sold in 30 states and 5 foreign countries.

I had the chance to speak with Brad (see picture below) who is the national sales manager, he would like to focus more on Merlot as he thinks it is the next big wine for Washington.  I have spoken to some wine makers who would agree and think that Merlot is up and coming in Washington.  (Don't listen to Sideways by the way, Merlot is an AWESOME grape)

One of the things you will notice about Airfield Estate wines is that they don't use corks, they use screw caps! (Hogue definitely had some vision!)  I have to say, I love the screw caps!  You may think that wines that have screw caps on them aren't as good because there isn't a cork.  If so, you couldn't be further from the truth.  Do you know why the trend is moving towards screw caps? Well, it definitely isn't cheaper if that is what you are thinking.  Having a screw cap allows for consistency.  You don't ever have to worry about a wine being corked, there are no variations, and when you want to keep your bottle that is only half gone, you can rest easy that you screwed the cap on tight enough to preserve it.

The bottles and the labels are certainly beautiful!  I love the look and feel of the product and here is another winery who has done a fantastic job with branding.  You can definitely feel and see what the brand is when walk into their tasting room. Unfortunately I have no idea of what the wine tastes like as I wasn't offered a tasting...go figure right?

Airfield does have two winery dogs, they weren't present during my visit, but I hear Jax, a Black Russian Terrier, and Bella, a mix of it all, frequent the tasting room!  If you are there and see them, snap a picture and send it to me! 

I am very interested to try their wines, if you do visit, please let me know how your visit went and what you thought about their wines!

Cheers,
Melanie